"They grow up so fast!"

"They" always say babies grow fast. Here's my little example:

8 days old

6.5 weeks old

UPS Man... or Trucker?

I love this little outfit we got Lincoln. He finally fits into it (0-3 months). Jesse calls it his "trucker outfit," but I think it looks more like a UPS man outfit. It's cute either way.

Sometimes Lincoln likes to pose for me...

I've taken Lincoln on a few walks with me. He seems to like walks and after 5 minutes he falls asleep in his carrier. Maybe it reminds him of when he was still inside me and all those hikes...

Before we left - still awake!

5 weeks and 6 days later...

Today is my due date!! Hard to believe I could still be carrying such a big baby! He weighs close to 10 pounds now, has definitely learned how to cry, and can hold his head steadily up for a few seconds. I was curious to see when Lincoln will reach normal milestones - like smiling around 5-6 weeks (since he hasn't smiled at me yet... he smiles in his sleep and randomly when he's awake) - and when he would "catch up."

This is what I found:

• The age at which your baby is expected to reach various milestones is based on his due date. So use your baby's adjusted age when looking at the milestones.
  
• Most premature babies "catch up" to their peers, developmentally, in two to three years. After that, any differences in size or development are most likely due to individual differences, rather than to premature birth. Some very small babies take longer to catch up.

I'm assuming he will catch up sooner since he was bigger than expected (5' 9" vs. 4')... and also of course he'll catch up sooner since he's my baby. :)

Here's to not having to endure month 9 of pregnancy!!!

1 Month Old

Lincoln turned 1 month old yesterday.

Here he is with his little puppy.

He likes to roll onto his side & stomach (yes, really he can).
He can track objects with his eyes.
He has a little temper.
He likes bath time.
He likes to eat in 45 minute intervals sometimes.
He dislikes being held while trying to go to sleep.
He doesn't like cuddling too much (much to my chagrin).
He weighs just over 7 lbs now (on a home scale... so not official).

Moms can be mean

Lincoln has always been a tired little boy... it comes with being premature, especially. Last night I wanted him to sleep well, but he kept falling asleep (after 5 minutes!) no matter what I did - tickle his ribs, feet, rub his head, change his diaper... So Jesse had the idea of getting an ice pack out. So I took off his clothes and yes, it made me feel mean, but we got him a little cold. (I would put my hand on the ice pack for a few seconds, and then put my hand on Lincoln. I'm not that ruthless.) Needless to say.. it made him wide awake and he got a full meal. He even slept well. Anyone have any pointers on keeping him awake??

Becca gave Lincoln this swing.
He stayed awake for about 5 minutes
and so I got a few pictures.

Later in the day I put him on his "tummy time" mat,
which he stayed awake for 20 seconds - maybe.

By the time I got a closer picture this is what I saw:

Gross! Maybe I should wait a little while after he eats to put him here? :)

PETA

You know those groups of people that do ridiculous things? PETA is one of them. I am not talking about their good intentions - I am talking about their protests that make themselves look... well, childish. I came across this photo & article and I think it is pretty funny. I would expect 14 year old boys to come up with something like this!

Click HERE to see the photo & article

Home Canning

A week ago, Nate, Audrey, Cody, Jesse & I made salsa from ingredients from our garden. We used the recipe found at this website but with a few of our own modifications (lime juice instead of lemon, less hot peppers).

It turned out really well! It would have been very nice to have found the food processor (it would have cut the time down dramatically), and a little more convenient with a pressure cooker, but the salsa turned out so well it is disappearing fast!

Jesse wants to can spaghetti sauce next (since we have an abundance of tomatoes...). We are going out to the garden to weed tonight if anyone wants to join us! :)

Bathtime

I think it is so cute when a baby is wrapped up in a hooded towel after his bath.
:)
Especially when he's wide awake.